Incumbent Polk County commissioners Craig Pope and Mike Ainsworth have comfortable leads in their races for re-election, and may avoid runoffs in November.

Both had slightly more than the 50 percent of votes necessary in a primary to win the election outright. As of Wednesday morning, Pope had 50.3 percent of the votes for Position 2; Terry Taylor had 33 percent and Michele Campione had 16 percent.

Ainsworth had 50.8 percent of the votes for Position 3; Kathy Martin-Willis had 44.1 percent.

If no candidate for a position receives more than 50 percent of the vote, then the top two candidates take part in a November runoff election. Polk County's commissioners are nonpartisan positions.

Pope was cautiously optimistic Tuesday night about the early returns.

"I think we're going to be OK, but of course it's early," Pope said. "There will be more ballots coming in."

Pope said that many Polk County residents work across the bridge in Salem, so there are a lot of late-arriving ballots to be counted.

"They drop a lot of ballots in Marion County ballot boxes," he said. "It takes a couple of days for those ballots to find their way home."

Pope, who grew up on his family's grass seed farm and worked there until he was 30, is being challenged by West Salem resident Terry Taylor and Dallas consultant Michele Campione.

Pope, who was first elected in 2010, is focusing on stabilizing the financial model for key services such as law enforcement as he seeks a third term.

During the campaign, Taylor has been vocal in his criticism of Pope and the other commissioners, including giving themselves raises.

Taylor, who has a background in managing tech industry projects, touted his ability to work efficiently on big projects, including reducing waste, meeting deadlines and staying within a budget.

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Polk County Commissioner Mike Ainsworth during a meeting with the Statesman Journal Editorial Board on Thursday, April 17, 2014.(Photo: Statesman Journal file)

In the Position 3 commissioner race, Ainsworth faced challenges from Independence City Councilor Martin-Willis and Dallas Retirement Village nurse Daniel Ervin Sr.

Ainsworth, who also was first elected in 2010, said expanding mental and behavioral health facilities throughout Polk County has been a success.

Ainsworth, a graduate of Central High School and Western Oregon University, also said building a third traffic bridge across the Willamette River is the top issue among West Salem residents.

Martin-Ellis, who works as a youth development coordinator with the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties, said homelessness is the most urgent issue facing the county. She wants to tackle unemployment, affordable housing and mental health.

Erwin, who didn’t actively campaign, said he would prioritize infrastructure projects if elected, such as installing lights at dangerous intersections across the county.

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Superintendent Christy Perry awaits results during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Supporters gather during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Elija Rodriguez, a field work organizer with PCUN, speaks during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Chuck Lee, the vice chairperson with the Salem-Keizer Public Schools , speaks during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Supporters look for results during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Emily Hicks, from left, Karma Krause, Nancy MacMorris-Adix and Bryan Andersen look for results during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Superintendent Christy Perry talks with supporters during an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Supporters gather for an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Superintendent Christy Perry, left, high-fives "Yes for SKPS" co-chair Lisa Harnisch as she arrives for an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

Supporters gather for an election-night party to watch voter returns come in for the Salem-Keizer Public Schools bond measure at Amadeus in downtown Salem on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal